Holder for spackling items

ABSTRACT

A holder for a spackling item comprises a frame having a unitary structure. The frame is removably attachable to a belt of a user. The frame has a tubular portion for removably receiving a handle portion of the spackling item to thereby hold the spackling item so that when the frame is removably attached to the belt of the user, the user is allowed to keep the spackling item on the user&#39;s person during a spackling operation without interference with the user&#39;s body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to holding devices and, more specifically, to a spackling item holder that is removably attachable to the belt of a user.

2. Background Information

When finishing drywall, seams between the individual sheets of drywall are taped and spackled, and the nail heads or drywall screws are spackled to conceal the joints and the nails or screws. During the course of finishing the drywall, a drywall finisher is required to tape both wall and ceiling joints. This requires the finisher to have one hand free to manipulate the tape and the other hand free to control the blade used to apply the spackling compound. A spackling item commonly referred to as a hawk device in the construction industry holds a desired amount of spackling compound and may be easily carried while spackling nails or screws. When spackling nails or screws, tape is not applied. One hand is free to carry the blade and the other hand is free to carry the hawk device. However, when taping joints, both hands need to be free to apply both the tape and the compound.

While some ladders and scaffolds used during the process of finishing drywall may have shelves or the like for the placement of the hawk device holding the spackling compound, many ladders (particularly extension ladders) do not. Even in the case of scaffolding, the hawk device will be placed at foot level, which necessitates a great deal of bending and lost time for the drywall finisher as he/she alternates between the various spackling operations described above. Thus the drywall finisher may have to frequently interrupt work while alternating between use and non-use of the hawk device during the spackling operation. Having to fetch the hawk device when working on a tall ladder can be particularly inconvenient.

Item holders attachable to the body of a user are well known. As is reflected by the prior art, attempts have been made to make it easier for contractors and others to carry items, such as materials and equipment, attached to, or suspended from, the body of the user through the employment of various belts, harnesses and attachments. Such conventional holders are convenient in that the items are always within convenient reach of the user. The conventional holders are essential for safety while working on ladders, scaffolds, and the like, in that they free both hands of the user for climbing and at least one hand for grasping a structure while working.

While being advantageous, however, such conventional holders are inconvenient and present problems in several respects. For example, the prior art holders do not allow the items being held to securely sit without interfering with the user's body. In addition, many of the prior art holders do not allow the user's elbow to clear the item and/or any other part of the holder when in use. The prior art holders are also subject to frequent failure during use, resulting in frequent work interruptions and possible accidents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a holder that is removably attachable to a belt of a user, and that functions to hold a spackling item, such as a hawk device, so that the user does not have to put the spackling item down on the ground or other resting surface while working.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a holder which permits a spackling item to be readily attached to the body of a user to free both hands of the user to permit the user to perform a spackling operation with relative ease.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a belt-mounted holder for a spackling item that allows the spackling item to securely sit without interfering with the user's body.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a belt-mounted holder for a spackling item that allows the user's elbow to clear the spackling item when in use.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a belt-mounted holder which provides for a convenient and inexpensive way for a user to hold a spackling item on his/her person while working, including on ladders or scaffolding, without the user having to repeatedly put the spackling item down.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a spackling item holder that is compact and easy for a user to transport and store.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a belt-mounted, spackle item holder which is durable in construction and simple and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, produce, and distribute.

The foregoing and other objects of the present invention are carried out by a spackling item holder comprising a frame having a unitary structure that is removably attachable to a belt of a user. The frame has a tubular portion for removably receiving a handle portion of a spackling item to thereby hold the spackling item so that when the frame is removably attached to the belt of the user, the user is allowed to keep the spackling item on the user's person during a spackling operation without interference with the user's body.

The frame has a base member removably attachable to the belt of the user. A holding member is integrally connected to and extends from a first main surface of the base member. The holding member has the tubular portion that removably receives the handle portion of the spackling item. In one embodiment, the frame has a unitary structure formed from a single piece of material.

The tubular portion of the holding member has a longitudinal axis disposed at a preselected angle of inclination relative to the first main surface of the base member. In one embodiment, the preselected angle of inclination is approximately 45 degrees.

The frame has a clip portion for removably attaching the frame to the belt of the user. The holder has a strap for removably attaching the frame to a leg of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects and embodiments of the disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the holder according to the present invention with a spackling item placed thereon;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the holder shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the holder according to the first embodiment, with the spackling item being positioned for placement on the holder;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the holder according to the first embodiment without the spackling item;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the holder shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the holder shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the holder shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates the holder according to the first embodiment as it appears when attached to a belt worn around the waist of the user when in use and with the spackling item placed on the holder;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the illustration shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the holder according to the present invention with a spackling item placed thereon;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the holder shown in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a side view of the holder according to a third embodiment of the present invention with the spackling item placed thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some forms as examples of the use of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs.

Moreover, certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not intended to be limiting. For purposes of this description, the terms “vertical” and “horizontal” are merely illustrative of relative space positions of the various components in the drawings. In actual practice, it is apparent that the components can be aligned in either orientation. Moreover, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “rearwardly”, “inner” and “outer” designate directions in the drawing to which reference is made. Such terminology includes the terms above specifically mentioned and words of similar import.

As described in detail below, the present invention relates to a holder that is configured to hold a spackling item and that is removably attached to the belt of a user so that the spackling item is readily accessible to the user during a spackling operation without the necessity of placing the spackling item on the ground or a support surface, such as during periods of non-use of the spackling device during the spackling operation. The embodiments of the present invention are described below with a specific application of the holder being used to hold a spackling item of the type which includes a handle portion and a flat top surface on which spackling compound is placed. This type of spackling item is generally known in the construction industry as a hawk device. However, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the holder of the present invention is also well adapted for holding other types of spackling items such as, for example, a blade having a handle portion and used to apply the spackling compound during a spackling operation.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1-9 an embodiment of a spackling item holder, generally designated at 2, according to the present invention embodied in the claims. In the exemplary embodiment, the spackling item is in the form of a hawk device, generally designated at 4, having a handle portion 4 a and a generally flat top surface 4 b on which spackling compound S (FIGS. 8-9) is placed. The holder 2 has a frame 6 in the form of an integral structure. As used herein, an “integral” structure is a structure that is either unitarily formed from a single piece of material or a unitary structure that is formed from separate components or parts that are affixed to one another and not intended to be separated before or during normal use.

The frame 6 of the holder 2 has a base member 8 having first 8 a and second 8 b opposite main surfaces, and a holding member generally designated at 10. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the base member 8 is removably attachable to a belt 12 of a user 14, and the holding member 10 is configured to hold the hawk device 4 to allow the user 14 to keep the hawk device 4 on the user's person at all times during a spackling operation. More specifically, the holding member 10 extends from the first main surface 8 a of the base member 8 so that the hawk device 4 does not interfere with the user's body while the hawk device 4 is held by the holding member 10.

The base member 8 includes a belt supporting portion 16 for detachably attaching the frame 6 to the belt 12 of the user. In the exemplary embodiment, the supporting portion 16 is in the form of a hook or clip portion extending from an end of the base member 8 and projecting inwardly toward the second main surface 8 b of the base member 8. The inwardly projecting clip portion is spaced-apart a sufficient distance d from the second main surface 8 b of the base member so that when the clip portion engages the belt 12, the frame 6 is in slidable engagement with the belt 12 to permit adjustment of the frame 6 relative to the user's body. The width w and height h of the projecting clip portion are selected to be sufficient to enhance the stability of the belt supporting portion 16. In general, the belt supporting portion 16 should be large enough to ensure that the weight of the frame 6, the hawk device 4, and the spackling compound S are adequately secured to the belt 12.

The holding member 10 has a horizontal first leg portion 18 extending generally perpendicular from the first main surface 8 a of the base member 8, a diagonal second leg portion 20 extending from the first main surface 8 a of the base member 10 and connected to the first leg portion 18, and a tubular portion 22 having an opening 22 a for removably receiving the handle 4 a of the hawk device 4, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The internal diameter of the tubular portion 22 is sufficiently large to facilitate insertion therein and removal therefrom of the handle portion 4 a of the hawk device 4 while insuring that the handle portion 4 a is properly retained within the tubular portion 22 when inserted therein.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, together with a portion 8 c of the base member 8, the first and second leg portions 18, 20 of the holding member 10 form a generally triangular-shaped angled frame portion. The tubular portion 22 extends from and along the second leg portion 20 of the angled frame portion so that a longitudinal axis X of the tubular portion 22 is disposed at a preselected angle of inclination θ relative to the first main surface 8 a of the base member 8. A suitable preselected angle of inclination θ is approximately 45 degrees, which has been determined to be suitable for holding a hawk device 4 of standard dimensions while being convenient for movement of the user during use of the holder 2. It is understood, however, that the angle of inclination θ could be any other suitable value, so long that the holder 2 properly accommodates the hawk device 4 while resulting in a comfortable fit when the holder is worn by the user. For example, it is imperative that the angle of inclination θ selected permit the hawk device 4 and relevant portions of the holder 2 to clear the user's elbow such that the user can swing his or her arms in the manner required for the job without any interference.

In addition to the frame 6, the holder 2 according to the exemplary embodiment includes attachment means for detachably attaching the frame member 8, and thus the entire frame 6, to a leg 24 of the user 14. More specifically, as best shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 7-9, the attachment means comprises attachment slots 26 formed at a lower portion of the frame member 8 and a strap 28 having opposite end portions 28 a, 28 b. For example, the strap 28 is a hook-and-loop strap looped through the attachment slots 26 and attached to itself. The length of the strap 28 is changeable to accommodate the size of the user's leg by adjusting the position of one of the end portions of the strap 28 around the user's leg relative to the other end portion of the strap 28. Alternatively, the strap may be constructed of nylon webbing, and the end portions 28 a, 28 b may be provided with any type of suitable connectors, including VELCRO connectors or snap-fit connectors.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-5, the holder 2 further includes reinforcing means for reinforcing the frame 6. In the exemplary embodiment, the reinforcement means comprises portions of the frame 6. For example, the reinforcement portions include rail portions 30 formed at peripheral side portions of the base member 8 and extending to a top portion of the base member 8 and at peripheral side portions of the first leg portion 18 of the holding member 10. Other reinforcement portions include an inner, generally triangular-shaped plate 32 formed within the triangular-shaped angled frame portion of the holding member 10, and reinforcement side portions 34 formed at intersections between a lower end of the tubular portion 22 and the first main surface 8 a of the base member 8. The reinforcement portion 32 may be provided with selected cut-out portions 32 a for the purpose of reducing the overall weight of the holder 2. It will be appreciated that the reinforcement portions may be formed at locations of the frame 6 other than those specified above. Furthermore, since the frame 6 is of unitary construction and thus has inherent strength properties, the reinforcement portions may be omitted altogether.

The holder 2 according to the present invention further includes means for substantially preventing rotational movement of the hawk device 4 about the longitudinal axis X of the tubular portion 22 relative to the frame 6 when the hawk device 4 is mounted on the holder 2 (i.e., when the handle portion 4 a of the hawk device 4 extends into the tubular portion 22 of the holding member 10). In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-9, the means for substantially preventing rotation comprises an upper edge 4 c of the hawk device 4 disposed in contact with the rail portions 30 of the base member 8 when the hawk 4 is mounted on the holder 2.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-11, the means for substantially preventing rotation comprises a pair of positioning arms 38 projecting downwardly from the respective rail portions of the base member 8 and towards the tubular portion 22 of the holding member 10. Each of the positioning arms 38 has an upper edge forming a resting portion 38 a at a free end thereof, and has a protrusion 38 b projecting upwardly from the upper edge of each of the positioning arms 38 and disposed rearwardly of the resting portion 38 a. When the hawk device 4 is mounted on the holder 2, portions of a flat bottom surface 4 d of the hawk device 4 rest on the respective resting portions 38 a of the positioning arms 38, and the upper edge 4 c of the hawk device 4 contacts the protrusions 38 b to substantially prevent rotation between the hawk device 4 and the frame 6 about the longitudinal axis X of the tubular portion 22.

FIG. 12 shows yet another embodiment of the means for substantially preventing rotation of the hawk device 4 relative to the frame 6. In this embodiment, the means for substantially preventing rotation of the hawk device 4 relative to the holder 2 comprises a strip of a friction liner 36 provided on at least a portion of each of the rail portions 30 of the base member 8 with which the upper edge 4 c of the hawk device 4 comes into contact in order to substantially prevent rotation between the hawk device 4 and the frame 6. The friction liner 36 may be made of a suitable rubber material, for example, or other material exhibiting similar frictional properties. The friction liner 36 may be connected to the first main surface 8 a of the base member in any suitable manner, such as by using an adhesive glue or tape.

The dimensions of the frame 6 are selected so as to allow the hawk device 4 to securely sit without interfering with the user's body, and to allow the user's elbow to clear the hawk device 4 when the holder 2 is in use. The frame 6 is compact in nature and easy for the user to transport and store. With reference to FIGS. 6-7, in an exemplary embodiment the frame 6 has a height H in the range of about 13.0 inches to about 16.0 inches, a length L in the range of about 5.0 inches to about 6.0 inches, and a thickness T in the range of about 2.5 inches to about 3.0 inches.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the frame 6 of the holder 2 is not limited to the foregoing or any other particular dimensions. Likewise, the parts of the frame 6 are not limited to the specific configurations and shapes described above and shown in the drawings. Instead, the frame 6, with its respective parts, may be manufactured in a variety of configurations, shapes and sizes within the teachings of the invention.

The frame 6 as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-9 is a unitary structure formed from a single piece of material. For example, the frame 6 may be molded from a single piece of material such as a suitable light-weight, hard or heavy-duty plastic. Alternatively, the frame 6 may be constructed from a single piece of material by a form or other method commonly known by those skilled in the art, such as by machining a single piece of material. Instead of plastic, the frame 6 may be manufactured of other types of light-weight materials, including metal, polymers, and wood, or any other material known by those skilled in the art, so long as the material used to manufacture the frame 6 is relatively rigid when in its final form. By making the frame 6 out of a single piece of material in a unitary structure, the load-bearing ability of the frame 6 is significantly increased due to the elimination of the shear problems encountered with a structure whose parts are assembled or connected together with fasteners, such as nails or screws, or with adhesives. Alternatively, the parts of the frame 6 can be a composite of individual elements formed separately and then assembled together. In addition, the frame 6 may bear indicia, text, and graphics thereon for the purpose of advertisement.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the holder 2 according to the present invention in use. The holder 2 is removably secured to the user 14 by engaging the clip portion 16 of the frame 6 with the user's belt 12 and by attaching the strap 28 around the user's leg 24 as described above. As shown in FIG. 3, the hawk device 4 is then mounted on the holder 2 by aligning the handle portion 4 a of the hawk device 4 with the opening 22 a of the tubular portion 22 of the holding member 10 and moving the handle portion 4 a in the direction denoted by arrow A until the handle portion 4 b is disposed within the tubular portion 22, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 10, 11 and 13. While in FIGS. 8 and 9 the holder 2 is secured or affixed to the left side of the user 14, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the holder 2 may be affixed to the left or right side of the user 14 for correlation to left or right handed persons.

As described above, the tubular portion 22 of the holding member 10 is provided with an internal diameter sufficient to easily receive the handle portion 4 a of the hawk device and to allow the handle portion 4 a to be easily removed therefrom as needed during a spackling operation or upon completion of the spackling operation for the purpose of cleaning and storing the hawk device 4. The clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the handle portion 4 a and the internal surface of the tubular portion 22 which facilitates insertion and removal of the handle portion 4 a to and from the tubular portion 22 is denoted by dashed lines in FIG. 10.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above described fit between the handle portion 4 a and the tubular portion 22 of the holding member 10 in conjunction with the weight of the hawk device 4 provide sufficient stability to maintain the hawk device 4 in engagement with the holder 2. Furthermore, the spackling compound S, as shown on the flat top surface 4 b of the hawk device 4 in FIGS. 8 and 9, is a dense material, and the weight of the same will further assist in maintaining the hawk device 4 in engagement with the holder 2.

Thus the present invention provides a belt-mounted holder for spackling items, such as a hawk device having a handle portion and flat top surface on which spackling compound is placed. The holder is relatively lightweight and comfortable for a user to wear while working.

The holder can conveniently affix a spackling item on the user's person so that the user does not have to put the spackling item down, such as on the ground or other resting surface, while working during a spackling or other working operation. The frame of the holder is of sufficient height, length and thickness and has a configuration that allows the frame to securely sit without interfering with the user's body. In addition, the dimensions and configuration of the frame allow the user's elbow to clear the spackle item when the holder is in use. The holder thus provides a convenient and inexpensive way for a user to hold spackle items on their person while working, without the user having to constantly put the spackling item down. Stated otherwise, the holder according to the present invention is designed to save time and gives users the convenience of having their spackling items and materials by their side at all times while on a ladder, scaffolding, or stilts.

The holder according to the present invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, produce, and distribute. The holder is compact and easy for a user to transport and store, and may be manufactured in a variety of convenient shapes and sizes.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that the present invention comprises an improved holder for spackling items. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that obvious changes can be made to the embodiment described in the foregoing description without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover all obvious modifications thereof which are within the scope and the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A holder for spackling items, comprising: a base member removably attachable to a belt of a user, the base member having first and second opposite main surfaces; and a holding member integrally connected to the base member and configured to hold a spackling item to allow the user to keep the spackling item on the user's person at all times during a spackling operation, the holding member extending from the first main surface of the base member so that the spackling item does not interfere with the user's body while the spackling item is held by the holding member.
 2. A holder according to claim 1; wherein the base member and the holding member are formed as a unitary structure from a single piece of material.
 3. A holder according to claim 2; wherein the unitary structure is made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic, wood, and polymers.
 4. A holder according to claim 2; wherein the unitary structure has a supporting portion for detachably attaching the unitary structure to the user's belt.
 5. A holder according to claim 4; wherein the supporting portion comprises a clip or hook portion extending from an end of the base member and projecting inwardly toward the second main surface of the base member.
 6. A holder according to claim 4; further comprising a strap for detachably attaching the unitary structure to a leg of the user.
 7. A holder according to claim 4; wherein the holding member has a tubular portion for removably receiving a handle portion of the spackling item to thereby hold the spackling item.
 8. A holder according to claim 7; wherein the tubular portion has a longitudinal axis disposed at a preselected angle of inclination relative to the first main surface of the base member.
 9. A holder according to claim 8; wherein the preselected angle of inclination is approximately 45 degrees.
 10. A holder according to claim 2; wherein the holding member comprises a first leg portion extending generally perpendicular from the first main surface of the base member, a second leg portion extending from the first main surface of the base member and connected to the first leg portion, and a tubular portion extending along the second leg portion for removably receiving a handle portion of the spackling item to thereby hold the spackling item.
 11. A holder according to claim 10; wherein the tubular portion has a longitudinal axis disposed at a preselected angle of inclination relative to the first main surface of the base member.
 12. A holder according to claim 11; wherein the preselected angle of inclination is approximately 45 degrees.
 13. A holder according to claim 10; wherein the first and second leg portions of the holding member extend from the first main surface of the base member so as to form a generally triangular-shaped portion with a portion of the base member.
 14. A holder according to claim 13; wherein the holding member has a reinforcing plate portion disposed within the triangular shaped portion for reinforcing the unitary structure.
 15. A holder for a spackling item, comprising: a frame having a unitary structure that is removably attachable to a belt of a user, the frame having a tubular portion for removably receiving a handle portion of a spackling item to thereby hold the spackling item so that when the frame is removably attached to the belt of the user, the user is allowed to keep the spackling item on the user's person during a spackling operation without interference with the user's body.
 16. A holder according to claim 15; wherein the frame has a base member removably attachable to the belt area of the user, the tubular portion extending from a main surface of the base member at a preselected angle of inclination relative thereto.
 17. A holder according to claim 16; wherein the preselected angle of inclination is approximately 45 degrees.
 18. A holder according to claim 15; wherein the frame has a clip portion for removably attaching the frame to the belt of the user.
 19. A holder according to claim 18; further comprising a strap for removably attaching the frame to a leg of the user.
 20. A holder according to claim 15; wherein the unitary structure of the frame is formed from a single piece of material.
 21. In combination with a spackling item having a handle portion and a generally flat top surface on which spackling compound is placed, a holder for holding the spackling item, the holder comprising: a frame having a unitary structure that is removably attachable to a belt of a user, the frame having a tubular portion for removably receiving the handle portion of the spackling item to thereby hold the spackling item so that when the frame is removably attached to the belt of the user, the user is allowed to keep the spackling item on the user's person during a spackling operation without interference with the user's body.
 22. A holder according to claim 21; wherein the unitary structure of the frame is formed from a single piece of material. 